Glock 26 vs 27: The Complete Comparison

When it comes to a subcompact Glock, most people fix their choices on two popular options – Glock 26 and Glock 27. There are so many voices that claim them to be the same pistols, but there are some subtle differences when you compare Glock 26 vs 27.

The first Glock pistol (Glock 17) hit the market in 1982 designed and manufactured by the Austrian engineer Gaston Glock. It started the polymer gun revolution and quickly rose into popularity because of its lightweight nature, durability, larger ammunition capacity, and shooting accuracy. The model is currently the ‘gun of choice’ for law enforcement, criminals, and firearms hobbyists in the United States.

The Advantages of Glock Guns

Glock pistols are highly popular among the Americans. What are the reasons for their soaring popularity over other types? Before delving into the Glock 26 vs 27 comparison, you should know what advantages they have over other types of guns.

The design of the Glock guns is pretty simple and they are meticulously engineered for ease of operation. They are striker-fired, don’t have a hammer, and produce a shorter recoil impact.

The Glock guns feature polymer receivers with slide rails molded with a steel plate. The impressive part is the slide is machined, instead of being stamped, from solid steel. Many of the internal components are also made of steel. Due to the use of steel and polymer plastic, they are more precise and more resistant to corrosion. You can soak them in water and drop them on the ground, and they will still be functional with great accuracy. Due to their high resistance to impact and water, they are ideal for daily carry, especially if you work in hostile environments.

A Glock 27.

The magazines are also made of steel-lined polymer plastic. The use of these materials and the flawless design make the slide stop after the mag is empty. The locking of the slide makes it easier to reload the mags.

The Safe Action of the Glock pistols is unique because it is neither single action nor double action. It features three different safety mechanisms including an internal firing pin safety, a trigger block safety, and an internal drop safety. All of them get activated when the slide is at the battery. Due to such a unique feature, these guns are among the safest firearms available in the market. You don’t need to take any extra measure to stay safe while handling them. Just follow the pretty basic rules – push the trigger when you intend to shoot and take the fingers off it when you don’t want to shoot.

In addition to the trigger, a user has to figure out just two more controls – slide release and magazine release. There is nothing to think about the manual safety and hammer action. So, even an amateur can operate a Glock with a few hours of training.

Glock 26 vs 27: The Comparison and Differences

Both models are highly popular subcompact Glock pistols. They have a lot to offer to the people who carry them. But, one of them has to be the better one, right? Well, not necessarily. It’s a bit harder to nail down the best one between Glock 26 vs 27 because the differences are rather slight on paper and each has its own devoted fan following.

Glock 26 is smaller, lighter, and has better recoil.

Appearance

Both guns are visually almost indistinguishable and they fall into the ‘subcompact’ category. However, you will still find non-identical markings and distinct bore and barrel measurements.

Glock 26

Glock 27

Caliber

9mm

40 S&W

Loaded Weight

740 g/26.12 oz

765 g/27.00 oz

Unloaded Weight

615 g/21.71 oz

620 g/21.89 oz

Standard Capacity

10 rounds

9 rounds

Extended OEM Magazine Capacity

33 rounds

22 rounds

Glock 27 carries one round less but it shoots more power and larger rounds. It also weighs more in both loaded and unloaded conditions.

Interchangeability

Another important point in the Glock 26 vs 27 discussion is whether you can convert one model into another or not. As their grip size is same, it is possible to attach a barrel and 9mm mag to the Glock 27 and use it like a 26. It will be not more than a $100 upgrade. However, firing 9mm bullets from G27 won’t have the same shooting precision or reliability because the extractors of the two models are non-identical. You can replace the extractor although it will be quite a chore.

It is surely an advantage that you can have the service of two guns in your Glock 27 just by spending some extra for an additional barrel and spare mags. On the other hand, you cannot modify a Glock 26 to be a 27 because the wider .40 S&W barrel won’t fit into the 26’s smaller frame.

You can convert the G27 to 26 with some upgrades.

Recoil

There’s a slight difference between Glock 26 vs 27 in this aspect. You can get faster follow-up shots with the G26 because it yields practically no recoil. The G27 also shoots nice and smooth but the recoil could be higher, which may slow down the follow-up response of the shooter, especially who are new in this business.

Price

There is not much difference in the prices of G26 and 27. Each type has several models and each one has a different price tag.

The Final Words

From the Glock 26 vs 27 discussion, it may seem that the first one is better for the amateur people who are looking for a small, easy-to-carry gun while the second one suits better professional and skilled people. However, you are unlikely to go wrong with either of these guns if it fits your carrying style and the size of your palm.

The G26 is for concealed carry because it has a short barrel and small frame. However, it has the width of a full-size Glock so there won’t be a problem with the grip or control. The small firearm produces less recoil impact but also packs the punch of a standard Glock. The G27 is also light, small, and powerful. The law enforcement officials just love it because of its proven advantages, functional dimensions, and comfortable grip.

Dennis Taylor is a graduate of National Camping School and REI Outdoor School. He knows everything about what gear to take with you, how to plan your trip to stay safe and what to do if you get lost in the mountains. We are lucky to have Dennis with us as he is a ‘walking encyclopedia’ when it comes to the wilderness.